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~ Vitriolic attacks by Donald Trump on four United States congresswomen of color, urging them to “go back … from which they came,” has angered Caribbean nationals and others, many who left the region to make the U.S. home but now feel they, too, could become focus for the president’s wrath, page 3. Undocumented Caribbean nationals in the United States remained largely untouched by last month’s announced mass round-up and deportation ordered by President Donald Trump. Reports indicated the operation fell well short of the president’s demands, page 5.
For many students, the end of summer holidays is near. This month Caribbean Today offers a special back to school feature, with tips that will make learning easier, plis information about immunizations, shopping and tax free holidays, page 17.
~ May 11, 1981 was the day Jamaican reggae legend Bob Marley died. It also marked official foray into the world of reggae music for M. Peggy Quattro. She chronicles that amazing journey in “Reggae Trilogy”, page 7.
INSIDE News ......................................................2 FYI/Local ................................................3 Feature....................................................7 Viewpoint ..............................................9
Food/Health ........................................12 Arts/Entertainment ............................13 Tourism/Travel ....................................14 Classifieds ..........................................15
Sports....................................................16 Back To School ..................................17
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2 • CARIBBEAN TODAY • AUGUST 2019
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NEWS
Trump expands deportation-without-trial in U.S., undocumented Caribbean nationals vulnerable GORDON WILLIAMS Undocumented Caribbean nationals in the United States for less than two years face deportation without trial under a new strategy announced by the administration of President Donald Trump. Last month, the Trump administration granted immigration officers across the U.S. greater powers, including the authority to deport undocumented foreigners without giving them an opportunity to present their case in court. In the past, that policy was largely carried out at the U.S.Mexican border or at ports of entry. Now, barring a block by the courts, it will apply nationwide. The Trump administration has made its intent clear. A statement released on July 23 by Kevin K. McAleenan, acting secretary of U.S. Homeland Security, “announced a new designation of aliens subject to expedited removal that applies to certain aliens encountered anywhere in the country within two years of illegal entry.” According to the government agency, “Use of expedited
tion enforcement agents too much unchecked power. “Under this unlawful plan, immigrants who have lived here for years would be deported with less due than process - File photograph people get in New policy speeds up deportation process. traffic court,” a statement from removal pursuant to the new ACLU’s Director of the designation will help alleviate Immigrants’ Rights Project some of the burden and capaciOmar Jadwat noted. ty issues currently faced by the Some believe that power Department of Homeland was being exploited unfairly Security (DHS) and the before the administration’s Department of Justice (DOJ) announcement last month. by allowing DHS to more “We already see serious quickly remove certain aliens abuses of fast-track deportation encountered in the interior.” authority where it is currently used at the U.S. border,” Grace BACKLASH Meng, acting deputy U.S. Backlash followed almost Program director at Human immediately after the DHS Rights Watch, was quoted as announcement as human rights saying on the organization’s groups vowed to counter in website. court. The American Civil “This change makes people Liberties Union and American living in U.S. communities subImmigration Council said they would seek to block the policy, (Continued on page 4) claiming it allows U.S. immigra-
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Haiti president names new P.M. Haiti President Jovenel Moise last month named Fritz William Michel, an executive in the Ministry of Economy and Finance, his fourth prime minister since he became head of state in 2017. Michel replaces Jean Michel Lapin, who had earlier announced he was stepping down in the interest of the French-speaking Caribbean nation. In a Twitter posting on the night of July 22, Moise named the virtually known technocrat to head his government. The new prime minister’s appointment followed talks on July 21 and 22 between Moise and the leaders of the Moise two chambers of Haiti’s Parliament. Earlier on July 22, Moise announced he had accepted Lapin’s resignation. Lapin had earlier told local newspaper Le Nouvelliste that in offering his resignation “I have made a choice for Haiti.” He was the third head of government under President Moise, who came to office in Feb. 2017. Lapin is the former culture and communications minister who was named prime minister on Mar. 21, three days after Haiti’s Chamber of Deputies voted to oust the six-month-old government of then Prime Minister Jean-Henry Ceant. Media reports indicated Moise had approached three people to replace Lapin, who took office less than a month after thousands of people protested in streets across Haiti, demanding better living conditions and Moise’s departure. CRISIS The announcement that Lapin was being replaced as prime minister followed media reports that Moise had met on the night of July 21 with the presidents of both houses of Parliament to discuss the choice
of a prime minister and the formation of a new interim government. No details of the meeting had been disclosed, Michel but André Michel, spokesman for the Opposition movement the Democratic and Popular Sector, said the meeting did not solve the country’s current crisis. “This approach does not correspond to the popular dynamics underway in the country,” Michel explained. “It is politically suicidal and morally unacceptable for respectable Opposition leaders to accept any cohabitation with Jovenel within any government.” ACCUSATIONS Opposition parties have accused Moise of embezzlement. However, the president has defended himself against a report from the Superior Court of Accounts and Administrative Litigation (CSA/CA) looking into programs and projects funded by Petro-Caribe, an oil alliance many Caribbean states have with Lapin Venezuela to purchase oil on conditions of preferential payment. The CSC/CA audit found significant shortcomings associated with the planning and implementation of development programs and projects funded by the PetroCaribe Fund during the administration of former President Michel Martelly. The court made it clear relevant documents were missing in most of the projects and contracts reviewed. As a result, the court added, it was impossible to conduct a comprehensive audit of several projects. - Edited from CMC.
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Changes in citizenship exam Caribbean nationals and other immigrants will have to take a slightly different route to become citizens of the United States. The administration of President Donald Trump last month announced that the naturalization test for U.S. citizenship will be revised for the first time in 10 years. According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) the civics section of the test, where candidates are asked questions about the U.S. as a final hurdle before they are granted citizenship, will be changed. A study list of about 100 questions is made available to
citizenship candidates. During the interview, a candidate is usually asked about 10 questions. To pass, a candidate must answer at least six of those correctly. Through Mar. 2019, nine out of every 10 candidates passed the civics test. Nearly 757,000 became naturalized U.S. citizens in fiscal year 2018. The English section of the test may also be updated, USCIS added. The USCIS is expected to conduct a series of pilot programs to introduce the new test, which could be implemented by Dec. 2020.
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CARIBBEAN TODAY • AUGUST 2019• 3
NEWS
BACKLASH: Trump’s ‘go home’ tirade angers Caribbean nationals GORDON WILLIAMS Vitriolic attacks by Donald Trump on four United States congresswomen of color, urging them to “go back … from which they came,” has angered Caribbean nationals, many who left the region to make the U.S. home but now feel they, too, could become focus for the president’s wrath. Although not naming them specifically at first, Trump’s July 14 message on the social media site Twitter, targeted Democratic congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib Harris Ilhan Omar and Ayanna Pressley, all who have been outspoken in opposition to the president’s policies, especially those affecting immigrants of color. All four are American citizens and three of the quartet, nicknamed the “Squad”, were born in the U.S. That did not stop Trump from telling them to leave. “So interesting to see “Progressive” Democrat Congresswomen, who originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe, the worst, most corrupt and inept anywhere in the world (if they even have a functioning government at all), now loudly … and viciously telling the people of the United States, the greatest and most pow- Clarke erful Nation on earth, how our government is to be run. Why don’t they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came. Then come back and show us how,” he tweeted. RACIST The tweets ignited a firestorm of debate and drew widespread backlash, with many in the U.S. and across the globe accusing the president of being racist. That did not stop Trump or his supporters from doubling down on his attacks. During a campaign rally which followed later in the month in North Carolina, Trump paced silently as supporters chanted “Send her back!” in reference to the congresswomen. Caribbean nationals in the U.S. blasted the president’s remarks, expressing their uneasiness with his continuous attacks on people of color. As immigrants, many believe the president could soon turn on them.
“I feel very uncomfortable with that,” said Jamaican American Val Brown, a South Florida resident, in reference to Trump’s “go home” message. “Everybody in the Caribbean community is up in arms about it. They don’t support those statements by the president, especially those without legal status.”
‘UN-AMERICAN’ Caribbean nationals weren’t the only ones who slammed Trump’s remarks. Close to 150 former staffers of Barack Obama, the first African American U.S. president, endorsed a letter last month which condemned Trump’s message. “There is truly nothing more un-American than calling
on fellow citizens to leave our country — by citing their immigrant roots, or ancestry, or their unwillingness to sit in quiet obedience while democracy is being undermined,” stated the letter, which was published in the Washington Post newspaper. U.S. lawmakers with strong Caribbean connections also condemned the president’s
remarks. “Let’s call the president’s racist attack exactly what it is: un-American,” tweeted U.S. Senator Kamala Harris, whose father is from Jamaica. Yvette Clarke, whose parents are from Jamaica, lashed Trump’s attack on her fellow U.S. congresswomen. (Continued on page 4)
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4 • CARIBBEAN TODAY • AUGUST 2019
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NEWS
Jamaican arrested on child sex charges in U.S. BALTIMORE, Maryland – A Jamaican national was arrested and charged with sex offenses as he arrived in the United States last month from the Caribbean island. The U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) said it arrested Vivian Linton Vickers, 43, on July 17 at Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport after he deplaned a flight from Montego Bay.
Vickers was arrested on a Palm Beach County, Florida, felony arrest warrant for sex offenses on a child. “Officers verified Vickers’s identity and turned him over to the U.S. Marshals Service,” CBP said, adding that it “placed a detainer on Vickers to be returned to CBP to complete his admissions inspection upon adjudication of charges.” CBP said officers in Miami, Florida connected Vickers to the outstanding
arrest warrant and notified the U.S. Marshals Service of his pending arrival in Baltimore. The CBP said officers screen both foreign visitors and U.S. citizens arriving and departing the U.S. for outstanding arrest warrants, narcotics, unreported currency, weapons, prohibited agriculture and other illicit products. - Edited from CMC.
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BACKLASH: Trump’s ‘go home’ tirade angers Caribbean nationals (Continued from page 3)
“PURE FILTH coming from our "leader's" mouth,” Clarke tweeted. “In America, we ALL* come from somewhere else (at some point in our families' histories) - including him. His xenophobic comments are disgusting, but not surprising from America's #RacistinChief.” A Quinnipiac poll released late last month showed 51 percent of Americans believe Trump is a racist. REASON Harris, a Democratic candidate for president, pointed toTrump’s sentiments as reason for him to voted out of office in
the Nov. 2020 election. “He (Trump) needs to go back where he came from and leave that office and so that's why I'm running with the intention of making sure there will not be four more years,” she told CNN. “I don't think that we can survive having a president of the United States who uses whatever voice he has in a way that is about dividing and fueling hate in our country.” Some Republicans also voiced opposition to Trump’s comments, among them Mia Love, a former U.S. congresswoman from Utah, whose parents are from Haiti. “You can even go as far as
saying, ‘if you don’t like it here, this is a free country, you can go where you please’,” Love said on CNN. “But don’t say ‘go back to the country where you came from’, because that encompasses all of us.” Trump’s anti-immigrant outburst not only angered many Caribbean nationals, it has supplied them additional reasons to see him voted out office next year. “What President Trump has said is just the true America today,” said Brown. “This is what it’s all about in 2019. Hopefully we can change that in 2020.”
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Trump expands deportation-without-trial in U.S... (Continued from page 2)
ject to an opaque deportation process with limited judicial review.” HOW MANY According to Washington, D.C.-based Migration Policy Institute, approximately 351,000 Caribbean nationals in the U.S. were undocumented up to 2016. MPI has not publicized data beyond that, making it unclear exactly how many undocumented Caribbean nationals would be vulnerable to Trump’s plan for widespread deportation without a court hearing. However, more than 20,500 undocumented foreigners arrested by U.S. immigration enforcement agents in places
away from the Mexican border are believed to be vulnerable for deportation without a court hearing since they entered the U.S. after Oct. 2017. U.S. law allows for “expedited” deportations. However, the policy is usually implemented for undocumented foreigners caught within 100 miles of the U.S.-Mexican, and at a port of entry, when the foreigner is unable to prove to be living in the U.S. for more than two weeks. ‘TOOL’ The DHS called Trump’s latest strategy a “tool” to help fix the problem of illegal immigration. “The new designation adds one more tool for DHS - utilizing specific authority from (the
U.S.) Congress - to confront the ongoing security and humanitarian crisis on the Southwest border and throughout the country,” said McAleenan. “We are past the breaking point and must take all appropriate action to enforce the law, along the U.S. borders and within the country’s interior. “This designation makes it clear that if you have no legal right to be here, we will remove you.” According to the DHS release: “The Immigration and Nationality Act gives the Acting Secretary ‘sole and unreviewable discretion’ to designate certain aliens as subject to expedited removal pursuant to a 1996 law.”
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CARIBBEAN TODAY • AUGUST 2019• 5
NEWS
FALSE ALARM: Undocumented Caribbean nationals elude Trump’s round-up GORDON WILLIAMS Undocumented Caribbean nationals in the United States remained largely untouched by last month’s announced mass round-up and deportation ordered by President Donald Trump. Following Trump’s declaration, scheduled to begin July 14 and target thousands of families in 10 major U.S. cities, including those occupied by hundreds of undocumented Caribbean nationals, reports indicated they fell well short of the president’s demands. Up to press time official statistics on the exact results of the raids were not available from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the agency assigned to carry them out. However, the New York Times, quoting officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, reported that 35 people were detained in the raids, despite Trump’s boast
that “many, many were taken out.” Multiple reports also indicated the raids were not widespread in the U.S. as announced. In many designated cities, the raids may not have been conducted at all. “The nationwide crackdown on illegal immigrants the Trump administration said were going to start (July 14) didn’t materialize”, CBS News reported. “There were few reports of unusual activity by immigration agents.” According to Reuters news agency, “There were no reports of mass arrests from the American Immigration Council.” Up to press time it remained unclear if Caribbean nationals were among those detained in the raids. PLAN Trump announced prior to the raids that ICE would seek
Puerto Rico’s governor resigns after online scandal, protests Puerto Rico, a United States territory in the Caribbean, will have a new governor after public protests and threat of impeachment forced Ricardo A. Rosselló to announce he will resign this month. Following the revelation of online chats involving Rosselló, which included disparaging comments that sparked a scandal, the governor decided to step down on Aug. 2. Wanda Vázquez, who has served as district attorney and head of Puerto Rico’s office of women’s affairs, was tipped serve as the 40-year-old Rosselló’s immediate successor.
However, reports late last month indicated she said she did not want the job. The announcement of the governor’s resignation set off widespread celebration in the nation’s capital of San Juan. That followed days of street protests as Puerto Ricans condemned Rosselló for his role in the online chat scandal. The chat messages included homophobic and misogynistic language. Participants also ridiculed victims of Hurricane Maria, which caused massive damage on the Caribbean island.
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Caribbean American lawmaker wants treatment of migrants probed WASHINGTON, D.C. – Caribbean American Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke has introduced new legislation in the United States House of Representatives to create what she describes as a “9/11-style Commission” to investigate the treatment of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. Clarke, a Democrat and the daughter of Jamaican immigrants who represents the 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York, said last month that the National Commission to Investigate the Treatment of Migrant Families and Children Act would create an independent body to investigate the treatment of migrant families by the administration of President Donald Trump.
“As a country founded on checks and balances, we must provide a check on what is happening at our border,” Clarke told the Caribbean Media Corporation. “The commission, in my legislation, will investigate the conditions wherever migrants are being held in this country, because no child or person should be subjected to live in inhumane conditions, let alone die from where the American government has caged them.” TERMS Clarke said the commission will establish an independent body to investigate the treatment of migrant families and children by the Trump adminis(Continued on page 6)
Constitution, which could prevent or delay their apprehension by ICE. Local lawmakers and businesses also pitched in with similar advice. They advised undocumented immigrants not to open their doors if ICE agents knocked without a judge-approved warrant.
Net gains from ICE raids were minimal. to apprehend at least 2,000 undocumented families, including those who had defied deportation orders, plus others who might get caught in the net. “(ICE is) … going to take people out and they're going to bring them back to their countries or they're going to take criminals out, put them in prison, or put them in prison in the countries they came from,” the president declared. The president’s tough talk heightened fear in communities with large immigrant populations. It also rallied support for undocumented U.S. residents. Many Americans took to the
streets in protest. Caribbean American lawmakers condemned Trump’s plan. “We have a bigot-in-chief who is overstepping his authority in his role as president pushing to deport immigrants from America,” said U.S. Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, daughter of Jamaican parents. Community and legal organizations openly offered advice on how to avoid being apprehended by ICE. A social media campaign launched by the American Civil Liberties Union, for example, outlined rights available to the undocumented under the U.S.
OBJECTION The assistance for undocumented residents was sparked in part by growing public objection to the manner in which the Trump administration has reportedly treated immigrants of color, particularly those already apprehended. Forced family separations at the U.S.-Mexico border have rankled the public. Many were also disturbed by the belief Trump announced the raids largely to appease his political base with an eye on the 2020 presidential election. According to ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, under the Trump administration, 256,085 “illegal aliens (were) removed from U.S.” in fiscal year 2018, a 13 percent increase from the previous year. More than half of those (Continued on page 6)
6 • CARIBBEAN TODAY • AUGUST 2019
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FYI/LOCAL
Southern U.S. celebrates Jamaica’s 57th Independence Multiple events have been scheduled in the southern United States this month to celebrate Jamaica’s 57th anniversary of Independence. SOUTH FLORIDA Aug. 1, 5:30 p.m. Caribbean Emancipation Day, Church of Atonement 4401 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Lauderdale Lakes. Aug. 2 9 p.m. - Celebrate Jamaica Independence Session with Fab 5 at Temple Beth Emet Center, 4807 S. Flamingo Rd. Cooper City. For more information, call 305-794-8782 or 561-333-8853. 5 p.m. to midnight - Jump off to Jamaica’s Independence weekend with “Life After Work” at I.T. Boat Dock, 901 N.E. Third St., Dania Beach. For more information, call 305-623-5078. Aug. 3 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. - Family Fun In the Sun Fair, Loren Roberts Park, 627 N.W. Sixth Ave., Florida City. For more information, call 786-863-1843 or visit toptasteja@gmail.com. 3 p.m. to midnight - Old Time Street Dance, The
Warehouse, 3500 N.W. 15th St., Lauderhill. For more information, call 754-204-6443, 954-6087973 or 954-849-0056. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. - Jamaica Independence Celebrations, Shirley Bianca Park, 6900 Miramar Pkwy., Miramar. Free admission. 7 p.m. - Jamaica Independence Gala and Awards hosted by JURA, Signature Grand, Davie. Special guest is Christopher Tufton, Jamaica’s Minister of Health. For more information, visit www.jurainc.org. Aug. 4 4 p.m. - Independence Thanksgiving Church Service, The Faith Center, 5555 N.W. 95th Ave. Hosted by the Consulate General of Jamaica. For more information, call 305-374-8431 or www.jamaiacgmiami.org. 10 a.m. - Independence Service Grace Episcopal Church, 3600 N. Australian Avenue, West Palm Beach. For more information, call 561845-6060. 4 p.m. - Caribbean Independence Celebration Service, First United Methodist Church, 260 S.W.
Prima Vista Blvd., Port St. Lucie. For more information, call 954-806-7360. Noon to 10 p.m. - Flag Raising and Independence Celebration, Lauderhill Sports Park Lauderhill, W. Oakland Park Blvd. For more information, call 954-336-6223. 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. - Jamaica 57 Independence Street Festival, Beauty & Progress Park, 64th Avenue and Miramar Pkwy. Free admission. For more information, visit www.miramarfl.gov. Aug. 7 4 p.m. - Jamaica Diaspora Day of Prayer, Davie Community Worship Center, 4140 S.W. 54th Ave., Davie. 7 p.m. - Jamaica Diaspora Day of Prayer, Christway Baptist Church - 3500 S. Douglas Rd., Miramar. Aug. 17, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Marcus Garvey Rootz Extravaganza, Lauderdale Lakes Educational & Cultural Center, 3580 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Lauderdale Lakes. Free admission. CENTRAL FLORIDA Aug. 4, 4 p.m. Independence Church Service –
North Orlando Seventh Day Adventist Church, 4525 N. Hiawassee Rd. Hosted by Jamaica American Association of Central Florida. Aug, 10, 7 p.m. Independence Gala, Jamaican/ American Association of Central Florida, Rosen Plaza, 9700 International Dr., Orlando. For more information, visit www.jaaocf.com. ATLANTA Aug. 4, 5 p.m. Ecumenical Service of Thanksgiving, St. Timothy United Methodist Church, 5365 Memorial Dr., Stone Mountain. Aug. 10, 6 p.m. - Annual Independence Gala & Scholarship Awards, Atlanta Marriot Marquis Hotel. For more information, call www.atlantajamaicanassociation.org. HOUSTON Aug. 4, 9:50 a.m. Ecumenical Independence Church Service, Windsor Village Church. For more information, visit www.jamaicafoundationhouston.org.
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BRIEFS Citizenship, voter drive
Lawyers and immigration professionals will be available to assist persons who wish to apply for citizenship of the United States and register to vote. The Emancipation Day Citizenship & Voter Registration Drive will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 10 at the Church of the Ascension, 11201 S.W. 160th St., Miami, Florida. Assistance is free. For more information, call 305-209-5583.
JAM honors Jamaican trio
A trio of Jamaicans in the United States will be recognized by the Jamaican Association of Maryland (JAM) for their contributions to the Caribbean nation during its 57th Independence celebrations this month. JAM will honor Irwine Clare, founder and chief executive officer of Team Jamaica Bickle, with the Marcus Garvey award. The Community Service award will be shared by Karl Malcolm and Andrew Lawrence.
Grenadian is new chair
Yolande Smith, Grenada’s permanent representative at the Organization of American States has assumed the chair of the OAS Permanent Council. The position is held on a rotating basis every three months.
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FALSE ALARM: Undocumented Caribbean nationals elude Trump’s round-up (Continued from page 5)
57 percent - were listed as “convicted criminals”. Nearly 6,000 of those deported were listed “as either known or suspected gang members or terrorists”. FALLING SHORT Despite no reports by ICE of a massive spike in arrests of undocumented persons during last month’s raids, Caribbean nationals have remained cautious. Prior to the scheduled raids, some even dismissed Trump’s threats as typical fearmongering. “They’ve grown wary,” said Irwine Clare, a Caribbean American immigration activist. “They say what’s new?”
Yet, during the scheduled time of the raids, many undocumented reportedly chose to stay home on days they would normally spend in the streets, shopping, going to and from work or school. Some relocated, at least temporarily. San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston, Denver, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Baltimore, Chicago and Atlanta were the cities targeted by ICE last month. However, top elected officials in several cities said they would not cooperate with ICE during the operations. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has warned of future raids.
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Caribbean American lawmaker wants treatment of migrants probed (Continued from page 5)
tration; function similarly to the 9/11 Commission, having full subpoena authority and the ability to pull records from relevant U.S. federal agencies; and have those who sit on it be appointed by the U.S. Congress. She said the commission will be unlike U.S. inspector general investigations, “because the White House cannot block nor interfere in the investigation.” In addition, the congresswoman said the commission will be fully funded “and full-time staff dedicated exclusively to uncover the truth and pursue accountability.” Clarke said Trump “clearly doesn’t value the lives of those who are seeking asylum or
refugee in the United States of America. “We must stand on the right side of history, which is why I have taken action to help these immigrant children and families by introducing The National Commission to Investigate the Treatment of Migrant Families and Children Act,” she added. A day after officials in his own administration admitted that some children in overcrowded migrant shelters have been denied hot meals or showers, Trump claimed last month that these migrants were “living far better” than in their native countries. - Edited from CMC.
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CARIBBEAN TODAY • AUGUST 2019• 7
FEATURE
RHYTHM ROOTS: ‘Reggae Trilogy’ celebrates a Caribbean musical movement DAWN A. DAVIS It’s 11:45 a.m. May 11, 1981, M. Peggy Quattro’s first day on the job working for reggae legend Bob Marley’s manager Don Taylor. The telephone rings. Marley’s wife Rita is on the the line. Taylor takes it, then flashes for the door, pausing to turn around and say: “If anybody calls, you don’t know anything.” “I knew right then that Bob was gone,” said Quattro. “He died that day in Miami.” For Quattro, cofounder of Reggae Report and author of the recently published eBook “Reggae Trilogy”, it was her official foray into the world of reggae music. The trip, which has enabled Quattro to cross
paths with almost everyone significant to reggae, remains inspiring nearly four decades later. “It was an amazing journey working with Don Taylor,” Quattro recalled to Caribbean Today recently. “Jimmy Cliff became my friend, Gregory Isaacs was a real character. It was a dream job; it really was.” Quattro left the job about nine months later. According to her, “it was really crazy.” Yet she never Quattro left the music. Her next stop was working for Joe Quattro’s next role, in Gibbs. 1982, was as director of “Working with Joe, I got “Caribbean Sunburst”, the to meet Dennis Brown, largest reggae festival in the Culture, Yellowman and J.C. United States, produced by the Lodge, everybody,” she said. “I late disc jockey Clint O’Neil. did that for a while until it got The four-day fest was held in very intense.”
Key Biscayne, Florida annually and attracted the top names in reggae. RADAR In 1983 Quattro and Michael “Mikey Zappow” Williams, founder and lead singer of the reggae band Zap Pow, started a one-page newsletter called Reggae Report, believing the music wasn’t getting the respect it deserved. It wasn't long before the fledgling publication grew exponentially, becoming the reggae industry’s iconic magazine. At the start of Quattro’s career, reggae wasn’t on her radar. A writer and publisher, she had been involved in music for most of her adult life. But it wasn’t until she travelled to Germany in the 1970s that her
friends there introduced her to this music “with an unusual beat,” she said. “Reggae was huge in Europe in those days,” Quattro recalled. “When I heard that music, that was it, I was in love. I was in love with Jimmy Cliff. I was in love with Bob Marley. I was in love with Jamaica. “But, reggae is not just about Bob Marley or Jimmy Cliff. Reggae became a movement.” It is this movement that Quattro honored in Reggae Report and continues to celebrate with Reggae Trilogy. The book takes readers through the heyday of reggae and dancehall — the 1980s and 1990s — with more than 200 striking (Continued on page 8)
SLAVE REPARATIONS: U.S. owes descendants of Africa an enormous debt ~ NAARC NEW YORK – The National African American Reparations Commission (NAARC) has welcomed the support of United States lawmakers who have publicly expressed support for legislation on reparations for slavery and the TransAtlantic Slave Trade that is being championed by U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. The commission said it was also concerned over the attacks on Caribbean American U.S. Senator Kamala Harris’s identity. In recent weeks, NAARC said commissioners have noticed various spokespersons associated with a newlyformed group have publicized the false notion that African-descended immigrants and their descendants in the U.S. – from the Caribbean or Africa – would be ineligible for participation in any future reparatory justice settlements worked out in the Carmichael U.S. It said such settlements would be negotiated with U.S. federal and local governments, and with “capitalist corporations that profited from the domestic and international slave trade and the practices of legal slavery. “This narrow ideological position certainly could be used to create divisions among African-descended people who were brought to the ‘New World’ and oppressed by the system of racial slavery,” said Dr. Ron Daniels, convener of NAARC, a U.S. national commission of prominent African American leaders in law, economics, health, reli-
gion, labour, community advocacy and business development. “According to this ill-conceived criteria, prominent African American figures, like Marcus Garvey, Stokely Carmichael (also known as Kwame Ture), Minister Luis Farrakhan, Representative Shirley Chisholm, Malcolm X’s mother and many more would not qualify for reparations. “This is an ideological formulation that aligns itself with well-known right-wing opposition to immigrants and immigration in the United States, and misses the moral
parents migrated to the U.S. from the Caribbean. His mother, Sarah Mae Manning, came from St. Kitts. His father Percival Clark was Jamaican. Daniels said the “ideological formulation that aligns itself with well-known rightwing opposition to ‘immigrants’ and immigration in the
African cultural heritage and the common historical experience of racialized oppression form the basis for transnational solidarity on the subject of reparatory justice,” said V.P. Franklin, editor of the Journal of African American History and a NAARC commissioner. “Moreover, the reparatory justice project has been in
existence in the USA since at least the 1880s and has been inclusive of African-descended people throughout the Americas (including the Caribbean) and globally,” he added. Garvey issues involved and the transnational white supremacist superstructure to be challenged.” CARIBBEAN LINK Garvey and Carmichael were Jamaican and Trinidadian-born nationals, respectively. Chisholm, the first black woman to run for U.S. president, was the daughter of a Barbadian mother and a Guyanese father. Malcolm X’s mother was Grenadian. New York-born Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam, grew up in an immigrant family. Both his
United States, unfortunately, it has been used to support the specious charge that California senator and presidential candidate Kamala Harris is not an ‘African American’, because of her Jamaican and East Indian heritage.” When asked, Harris has been quoted as declaring: “I am an African American.” Harris’s father is Jamaican while her mother was from Indian. The senator was born in Oakland, California “and raised as an African American girl,” NAARC said. “In NAARC’s view, the
BACKING NAARC said currently, this international initiative is pursued by the Caribbean community (CARICOM) Reparations Commission, the National African American Reparations Commission (NAARC), the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America (N’COBRA), the Institute of the Black World 21st Century (IBW), the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, and numerous grassroots reparations organizations in the U.S., Africa, Caribbean, United Kingdom and Europe. In their petitioning, advo-
cating, protesting and mobilizing, NAARC said Africandescended peoples have “come to recognize the strength in collectively organizing reparatory justice campaigns.” It noted that CARICOM’s 10-Point Plan for Caribbean Development, NAARC’s Preliminary 10point program and similar reparatory justice action programs are evolving in North America, South America, Africa and Europe, “all of which emphasize the need to address the economic and financial disparities that exist today between Africandescended and Europeandescended people as a painful living legacy of African enslavement in the Americas. “Let us never forget that the Atlantic slave trade has been declared by the United Nations to be a crime against humanity and, as such, there is no statute of limitations that can be evoked by the perpetrators of this monstrous crime to escape responsibility,” said Dr. Julianne Malveaux, political economist, president emeritus of Bennett College for Women in North Carolina and NAARC commissioner. “America owes the sons and daughters of Africa in America, whatever their origins, an enormous debt, which must be paid if the country is to ever heal from the original sin of enslavement,” she added. “The enactment of HR40, the bill to study reparations proposals for African Americans, is an important step in this essential process.” - Edited from CMC.
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8 • CARIBBEAN TODAY • AUGUST 2019
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FEATURE
THE OTHER SIDE: Art views Caribbean future through visual expressions DAWN A. DAVIS The possibilities of a Caribbean future is the focus of an exhibition featuring the works of 14 artists from the region currently on display in South Florida. “The Other Side of Now: Foresight in Contemporary Caribbean Art”, which opened last month at Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), shows works based on artists’ personal experiences, the Caribbean’s geography and its colonial and ecological history. Through paintings, installations, videos, sculptures and performances, “The Other Side of Now”, which runs through June 2020, makes clear the inevitability of more questions, perspectives and directions to come. “We’re not just talking sun and sea and sand, but how do you see past that and see the depths,” explained Dr. Marsha Pearce, cultural studies scholar at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, during the exhibition’s opening. “… We wanted to think more about that fourth dimension - time. How do we address that, and how do we expand that and not just think about it as the Caribbean as a past moment or the present moment, but to push that picture of the Caribbean, to create a more full picture of
son happened that was the moment in which the Caribbean was very much put into test and there was a lot of devastation. That’s also when our conception of time shifted a little bit, to think about the future as the present now. “So, what can we do now, today, to create a better situation?”
Souvenir plates by Milne look at the Caribbean’s link to China. the region.” BEYOND NOW Curated by Pearce and PAMM’s Maria Elena Ortiz, the exhibition looks beyond the now. One example, is a piece by Trinidadian-born artist Alicia Milne which looks at stereotypes boldly and fights against them. She presents a series of souvenir plates that are made in China depicting typical Caribbean scenes. But the artist adds Chinese motifs to these plates as a way of pointing to Chinese involvement in the Caribbean. Perhaps a type of new colonial reality.
Puerto Rican Angel Otero’s work is another illustration of how Caribbean people use ingenuity to create their own future. He paints on glass then scrapes off the oil paint and hangs the resulting “skins” as new creations, producing expressionistic work that speaks to rebirth, which many go through after a devastating natural event. “Catastrophe and trauma is embedded in a lot of the work you see out there, for obvious reasons,” said Ortiz. “How can we instigate a little bit of a different kind of schematic within the field? When the 2017 hurricane sea-
ANSWER As if to answer that question, artist Louisa Marajo from Martinique recreates work from previous pieces, demonstrating the act of creating, destroying, surviving and rebuilding the future; the kind of action that always takes place after something like a hurricane. “It’s the idea of possibilities,” said Dr. Pearce. “It’s the idea of labor. And it’s also about a way of seeing.” Jamaican artist Deborah Anzinger’s work is a complex language of labor, economics and survival. Her use of materials, such as polystyrene and organic matter like aloe, shows a relationship with the environment and the necessary industrial material as a way of envisioning a Caribbean future. Just as Anzinger explores incongruity, Andrea Chung, who is of Jamaican Chinese descent, uses her work to question the Caribbean’s colonial and postcolonial experi-
RHYTHM ROOTS: ’Reggae Trilogy’ celebrates a Caribbean musical movement (Continued from page 7)
original images of the artistes that made the era stand out. WHO’S WHO It features 13 chapters that explore the bands, legends, women, dub poets, the Marleys and more. With a foreword by celebrated female reggae singer Nadine Sutherland, readers are taken through the era that cemented Jamaican music internationally. Sutherland, who won Jamaica’s Tastee Talent Contest in 1979 at age 11, wrote that the Reggae Report was “the bible for anything reggae … that captured cuttingedge stories about who is who in the 80s and 90s reggae/dancehall scene” without the benefit of the Internet. In Reggae Report, Quattro was able to capture the “voices” and images of the great artistes of the era. The thousands of promotional photos and album covers the publisher received over the years have become part of this series that will take readers through reggae’s colorful history. Each chapter is preceded
by commentary and tidbits about the theme, filling gaps about some of reggae’s most important pioneers. Bands like Chalice, Third World, Burning Spear, Skatalites, Steel Pulse, Roots Radics jump out at readers, bringing back the era in full style. HOMAGE Quattro paid homage to the legends that paved the way for Jamaican music. From mento to ska and rock steady, to lovers rock, Joe Higgs, Lee “Scratch” Perry, Bunny Wailer, Dennis Brown, U-Roy and The Jolly Boys stare back at readers as they reminisce about the music. The women who marked the era are also celebrated for their contribution. From a young
Sutherland to Dawn Penn, Judy Mowatt, Marcia Griffiths, Lodge, Rita Marley, Sister Carol and
balanced view of the musicmakers who created a genre of music. Then there was dancehall. This group of “toasters” captured the attention of a younger generation of music lovers. Under the heading “Dancehall Rules!” hats are raised to early deejays like Super Cat, Shelly Thunder, Chaka Demus and Pliers, Shabba Ranks, Tiger and Lt. Stitchie, who carved out spaces for today’s dancehall artistes. Groups, musicians, dub poets, U.S. reggae, Marley family and industry pros receive attention in Trilogy as well. There’s plenty to take in. Hence the creation of this trilogy series. Dawn A. Davis is a freelance writer for Caribbean Today. Reggae Trilogy, the first of three volumes, is available on amazon.com and reggaereport.com.
Carlene Davis, the eBook presents a
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ences. Perception, truth, and seeing are juxtaposed. A series of styrofoam heads covered with wigs of coiffed, and some unkept, European hairstyles is not typical “paradise”, leaving viewers to question their own stereotypes. “The Other Side of Now” does not force artists into themes. Instead the question of what does a Caribbean future look like was purposely left openended, allowing them to explore their perspectives, experiences and creativity, producing a hybridity of voices that touches the region. Other artists with works on display include Charles Campbell, Hulda Guzman, Deborah Jack, Manuel Mathieu, Lavar Munroe, Sheena Rose, Jamilah Sabur, Nyugen Smith and Cristina Tufino. Story and photograph by Dawn A. Davis, a freelance writer for Caribbean Today.
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SAbrINA MoSS Production/Graphic Design Opinions expressed by editors and writers are not necessarily those of thepublisher. Caribbean today, an independent news magazine, is published every month by Caribbean Publishing & Services, Inc. Caribbean today is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or photos. To guarantee return, please include a selfaddressed stamped envelope. Articles appearing in Caribbean today may not be reproduced without written permission of the editor.
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CARIBBEAN TODAY • AUGUST 2019• 9
VIEWPOINT
Happy Independence 2019 Jamaica! Would Trump pass his own requirements for U.S. citizenship? The date, Aug. 6, holds a special place in the hearts of every Jamaican, regardless of color, creed or religious or political persuasion. This date has become a part of our national subconsciousness - planted since infancy - as we were exposed to the enormous struggles and tremendous sacrifices made by our forefathers which spawned the birth of independent Jamaica in 1962. The struggles for Emancipation and ultimately Independence, have contributed to our rich history and laid the foundation for the myriad achievements and benefits that we currently enjoy and which have engendered AUDREY strong feelMARKS ings of national pride in our people, for more than five decades. The commemoration of the 57th anniversary of our country’s Independence, under the theme “One Nation, One People”, is a poignant reminder of our diverse ancestry, constituting Afro-descendants, Indians, Chinese, Lebanese and Europeans; formulating a melting pot of cultures, ideas and behaviors which make us uniquely Jamaican. DISTINCTION This is a distinction for which we stand proud; cohesion amidst diversity. This year’s theme is also in keeping with our motto, “Out of Many, One People”, which is symbolic of the force behind our nation’s raison d’etre. Despite our differences, we have recorded much progress as a nation. Our small country, although barely visible on the world map, continues to produce persons of high repute whose meaningful contributions transcend our 144 square miles to the world, in many areas including the arts, sciences, culture and sports. Regarded among the best destinations in the Caribbean, and indeed the world, more than four million visitors take time each year to enjoy the spectacular beauty of our shores and the endearing warmth of our people. The pulsating rhythm of our beloved reggae music, which was recently designated by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage, continues to thrill the hearts of people
“Lying.” Hmmm… FAIL AGAIN DONALD. As USCIS states: “If you do not tell the truth during your interview, USCIS will deny your application for lacking good moral character. If USCIS grants you naturalization and you are later found to have lied during your interview, your citizenship may be taken away.” Can we apply this law to El Trumpeto and his friends please Mr. Mueller, Congress, anyone?
across the globe. Our cuisine, which has stimulated the palates of many, is widely recognized as among the best gastronomic delights internationally. STABILITY In recent years, based on the bi-partisan efforts of the current and previous administrations, the Jamaican economy has achieved macroeconomic stability, which has earned us the respect of multiple international financial institutions. Unemployment has plummeted to its lowest levels in decades. The economy has been recording modest growth, coupled with an increase in consumer confidence, as we witness a period of unprecedented expansion. Jamaica, the home of the best performing stock market for 2018, is also being positioned as a prime destination for investment, booking more than $500 million on local and foreign direct investment for the 2018/2019 period. It is clear that there is no limit to what we can achieve when we work together as “one nation, one people”. The theme must therefore be seen as a rallying call for all Jamaicans, both at home and abroad, to join forces to overcome the challenges we continue to confront, such as crime and violence, which impede further progress. As the Prime Minister Andrew Holness indicated at the recently concluded 8th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference that we remain grateful for the “immense contribution that the diaspora continues to make to national development.” Your solid support over the years in education, health and other key sectors, has formed the bedrock of our nation’s development. I am pleased that your distance from the island’s shores has not diminished your love and passion for our beloved homeland and you continue to share our common bond as “one nation, one people”. I appeal to Jamaicans across the United States to continue to support the government of Jamaica in its efforts to improve the welfare of all Jamaicans in our beloved homeland. Happy Independence 2019! Edited from an article submitted by Audrey Marks Jamaica’s ambassador to the United States. Aug. 6 is Jamaica’s Independence Day.
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Trump One of the major points that struck me, as I caught some of the Robert Mueller testimony on July 24, 2019, were the number of lies that the special prosecutor said were either told to him or proven to be lies. In fact, the report paints a picture of lies and deception by the Trump team FELICIA J. and Mueller, PERSAUD when pressed by Congressman Adam Schiff, even admitted that some of the answers submitted by the president to his questions were proven to be lies. Additionally, what was reiterated on July 24 was that numerous Trump associates lied, including Paul Manafort, Rick Gates, Michael Cohen and George Papadopolous, while Manafort encouraged others to lie and the entire Trump campaign lied to cover up their dealings with Russia,
“These ICE raids are nothing more than a bigoted strategy that terrorizes more than 2,000 immigrants and will cause the separation of even more families” - Caribbean American Congresswoman Yvette Clarke. “He is determined to discount, deport and disappear immigrants across the country” - Caribbean American New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. “It’s a political act to convince a lot of people in America that immigrants are the problem” - New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. Politicians react to United States President Donald Trump’s announced round-up of undocumented immigrants.
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a hostile foreign adversary, during the 2016 campaign. This got me to thinking about whether Donald Trump, who has made scapegoating immigrants the central team of his campaign to blind racists from what he is really doing, would even qualify for United States citizenship as many immigrants must do. REQUIREMENTS One of the major eligibility requirements for immigrants to qualify for naturalization as a citizen of the U.S., and then earn the right to vote, is that one has to “be a person of good moral character.” The laws further state that one must be “… attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and well-disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States during all relevant periods under the law.” Sounds to me like El Trumpeto and his friends already failed! But let’s dig deeper still. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services goes on to explain this requirement further by stating that under the law, examples of a lack of good moral character includes
YOU JUDGE But wait, there is more. The U.S. CIS further states that other examples of a lack of good moral character includes: • Any crime against property or the government that involves “fraud” or evil intent. • Persecution of anyone because of race, religion, national origin, political opinion, or social group. • Any crime against a person with intent to harm. So there goes. Those are the facts and the laws immigrants must abide by. Now you be the judge. Would Donald Trump and his cronies reach the bar they place on immigrants in qualifying for U.S. citizenship? Perhaps we need to apply the same standards to the office of president of the U.S. Oh wait, there are those bars or at least there used to be … until now! Can you decide whom we need to now “send back” and whom we need to keep? Felicia J. Persaud is publisher at NewsAmericasNow.
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10 • CARIBBEAN TODAY • AUGUST 2019
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VIEWPOINT
Trump’s ‘send them back’ chant is turning point for the United States ROGER CALDWELL In 2019, most blacks and people of color would like to believe “There is not a racist bone in my body” is an accurate statement in the United States. With the first African American president, black businesses in every major city and black political officials in federal, state and local municipalities, diversity is a reality. Yet with all these achievements, in one of the greatest countries in the world, there is a major divide. This divide is based on the color of an individual’s skin, which makes no sense, until you study economics, politics and business. Power is based on what you own and control, and if you close your eyes, power may also be based on what you take by force. Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump attacked four freshmen U.S. congresswomen by claiming they are un-American and
more wicked now, that we are all racist and evil. They’re entitled to their opinion, they’re Americans. Now I’m entitled to my opinion, I just think they’re left wing cranks,” says Trump.
Trump should go back to their country. Everyone is asking the question: “Why.” This started as a tweet storm last month. It has turned into a nasty battle of words, where the majority of the media is calling Trump a racist. This tweet storm appeared to be racist and personal. Little was discussed by the president about the congresswomen’s policies. “In America, if you hate our country, you are free to leave. The simple fact of the matter is, the four congresswomen think America is even
UNFIT It is obvious, that the first thing the president thinks comes out of his mouth, and it does not matter if it makes any sense. The president is not fit or mentally stable to manage America as commander-in chief, but over 40 percent think he is doing a good job. As this new social media and campaign rally attack from the president on the four congresswomen escalates to a higher level of insanity, everyone in America is picking a side. The four congresswomen last month called a press conference to denounce the president and asked for a draft to
be drawn up to condemn his racist language and tweets. The resolution was passed in the House of Representatives last month to condemn the president. BELIEF The amazing issue about this battle is that over 40 percent of Americans believe that the president is correct. During a campaign rally last month, a packed house, with the majority being white Republicans, chanted “Send her back.” With the media claiming that Trump initiated and supported the yelling, the president is being forced by the vice president and some of his consultants to distance himself from the chant. “After smearing Rep. IIhan Omar (D-MN) as antiSemitic – and letting the crowd at his Greenville, North Carolina rally roar ‘send her back’ for more than 10 seconds – President Trump has falsely claimed he continued
his speech immediately after the crowd started yelling,” said Tana Ganervo, a reporter at Raw Story. The chants of “Send her back” is a turning point. Racism in 2019 is out in the open, with the election of President Trump leading the way. It is easy to argue what constitutes the act and whether someone is a racist sometimes. But Trump does not care what blacks and people of color think. He is only concerned with his base, and he feeds them red meat daily. There is something fundamentally wrong when the president does not care about values and inappropriate statements, because his goal is to only make America white again. The opinions expressed above are those of Roger Caldwell, a freelance contributor to Caribbean Today.
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‘Don’t worry, ‘bout a thing … every little thing is gonna be alright’ They say happiness is like a fluttering butterfly that you’re never able to catch, if you keep on chasing it, but will gently land in your palm the moment you sit still. It is a promise that many people make to each other,
but one that they really aren’t capable of keeping. “Come baby, be with me and I will make you happy.” But no one can make you happy. Happiness has to come from within. Sure, they can make you miserable, but they
can’t make you happy. Still, there are people who depend on others for happiness. “If I can find that special person, I’ll be truly happy.” But if you’re miserable with yourself, you can never be happy. What makes people happy though, is it material things buying that shiny new car, living in a mansion, having a great high paying job, wearing the fanciest clothes and jewelry, being with the prettiest woman in the world or the world’s richest man? HEALTH Yet people who have all that and more still end up being so unhappy, oftentimes suicidal. Nice trappings can make you comfortable and content, but true happiness cannot be bought. It has been said that laughter is the best medicine and psychologists have pointed this out. So being happy does lead to better health. Just look at people around you who are always unhappy and see what state they’re in. Most are dull, dour, dreary. Surveys have shown Norway to be the happiest country on Earth, with Denmark, Iceland and Switzerland following. They used criteria such as standard of living, health care, education and low crime rate as their measure. Ironically, some
of those countries have a high suicide rate, especially among their young. If they’re so happy, why are they TONY killing themROBINSON selves? I still contend that Caribbean people rank among the happiest people on the planet. Somehow we still manage to laugh a lot. Even when we’re complaining and griping, we still seem to find humor and laughter among our trauma. “We can take bad things and make joke eh?” IRONY People who are unhappy rarely laugh yet ironically, there are persons who are unhappy who make other people laugh. Many comedians suffer from depression. It was singer Smoky Robinson who sang in “Tears of a Clown”.
“People say I’m the life of the party, smiling in the crowd I try, but in my lonely room I cry, the tears of a clown”. There’s the story of Grimaldi, the famous Italian clown who made everyone laugh. Whenever people were sad, the recipe from the doctor was, “Go see Grimaldi, he will make you laugh.” One day a man approached the doctor, baring his sorrow before him. When the doctor advised him to go see Grimaldi, the response was: “Sir, I AM Grimaldi.” Happiness can be a simple meal, having a good loyal friend, being content with your lot, looking on the bright side of life, thinking positive. For some, happiness is spending time at the bar drinking alcohol and feeling sweet. For others it’s taking drugs, but in reality all that they are doing is masking their unhappiness. They seek that high, but come down to a new low when the effects wear off. Others seek it in church. Yet some of the most dismal, depressing people I know are steeped in religion. Do what Bobby McFerrin sang, “Don’t worry, be happy.” Bob Marley said it too, “Don’t worry ‘bout a thing, everything’s gonna be alright.” seido1yard@gmail.com
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CARIBBEAN TODAY • AUGUST 2019• 11
JAMAICAN PROUD TO CELEBRATE JAMAICA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY.
12 • CARIBBEAN TODAY • AUGUST 2019
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FOOD/HEALTH
Great ways to staycation during warmer months Whether you’re taking a staycation or just looking for some fun in the sun near home, check out these ideas for creating instant summer vibes: • Get beachy - You don’t need to live near or travel to the shore to turn your backyard into an exclusive beach getaway. All you need are some lounge chairs, shades, SPF and your favorite magazines or page-turning novels. For a bit more active relaxation, invite some friends over for frisbee golf or set up a net and play “beach” volleyball. • Eat light - When you eat better, you feel better. Stay refreshed in warm weather with fresh fruits, vegetables, superfoods and better-for-you fare. Look for local dining options that bring tropical flavors to you. To learn more, visit tropicalsmoothiecafe.com. And remember, nothing speaks to the season like a fresh meal accompanied by a fresh breeze. On sunny days, head to the park for a picnic lunch, or host friends for al
Stay refreshed on your warm weather staycation with better-for-you fare. fresco dining on your deck. • Have fun - In warm weather, there is no shortage of fun to be had. Go roller skating. Hike a local trail. Attend a baseball game. Play mini golf. Bike to the next town. Take advantage of the great weather by spending time active and outdoors. • Jam out - For road trips, both long and short, backyard barbecues and more, the right playlist can create the perfect vibe. When making the
playlist, think about the songs that evoke your favorite sunand-fun memories. Then, pump up the jams whenever the mood strikes. Be sure you have portable speakers for the season so your summer soundtrack is handy wherever you go. Summer is a state of mind. Get into the mindset without leaving town. - Edited from StatePoint.
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Beware summer heat wave WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is warning Caribbean nationals in the region and parts of the United States that they are at risk for heat strokes and even death as a result of the heat wave being experienced globally. PAHO said the situation could worsen this month, “with adverse impact on human health”. It is urging regional countries to be prepared, “due to the impact that this could have on peoples’ health, including the risk of death. “Weather forecasts for North America, Central America and the Caribbean predict heat waves during the summer of 2019. This could increase drought-induced stress, lead to forest fires and have harmful effects on human health.” PAHO said, due to the situation, it has developed a guide to help regional countries formulate contingency plans to address heat waves. The guide stresses that heat wave contingency plans should be able to determine the extent of the threat, a description of roles and func-
tions, and intra- and interagency coordination mechanisms. SYMPTOMS PAHO warned that exposure to heat causes severe symptoms, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, a condition which causes faintness, as well as dry, warm skin, due to the inability of the body to control high temperatures. It said the majority of heat-related deaths are due to the worsening of cardiopulmonary, renal, endocrine and psychiatric conditions. Other symptoms include edema in the lower limbs, heat rash on the neck, cramps, headache, irritability, lethargy and weakness. PAHO said people with chronic diseases that take daily medications have a greater risk of complications and death during a heat wave, as do older people and children and that reactions to heat depends on each person’s ability to adapt, adding that serious effects can appear suddenly. - Edited from CMC.
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Team Jamaica Bickle gives defibrillators to high schools Twenty high schools in Jamaica were scheduled to receive automated external defibrillators (AED) and first aid kits from New York-based Team Jamaica Bickle (TJB). The donation was part of TJB’s annual “Defibrillator to Schools Program”. A second presentation is being planned for later this year in keeping with TJB's mission to donate a minimum of 25 units to mark its 25th anniversary in 2019. The program began in 2014, aiming to create awareness of the need for emergency resources at sporting
activities and other venues in Jamaica. The donations were prompted by the deaths of student-athletes Cavahn McKenzie (2014) and Dominic James (2016), both at sporting events. In addition to receiving units, school staff are also trained in CPR and are presented a certificate on completion. TJB said its goal is to outfit each high school with its dedicated AED unit. Last month’s presentation, according to TJB, brought its total to just over 70.
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‘Satisfaction’ over Guyana president’s cancer progress where last year he had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He has returned to Guyana.
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Doctors treating Guyana’s President David Granger for non-Hodgkin lymphoma have expressed “satisfaction” with the latest results of his tests in Cuba “and indeed his recovery process,” according to an official statement issued in Havana. Granger travelled to Havana last month for further treatment and, according to a statement issued by the Guyana Embassy in Cuba, after “four investigations” the doctors “have found nothing negative about his present state of health.” The statement noted that in keeping with the protocol associated with the “treatment
and monitoring of this type of medical condition, the specialists have proposed that he returns to Cuba after 90 days for anoth- Granger er round of evaluation.” The statement said that during his stay in Havana, Granger, 77, met with graduating Guyanese medical students as well as some Cuban officials. Granger, accompanied by his wife, had travelled to Cuba for evaluation by doctors of the Centro de Investigaciones Médico Quirúrgicas (CIMEQ),
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CARIBBEAN TODAY • AUGUST 2019• 13
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Pressure mounts, Nicki Minaj backs out of Saudi Arabia gig Backlash from human rights advocates led Trinidad and Tobago hip hop star Nicki Minaj to cancel a show in Saudi Arabia. Minaj was scheduled to perform at a festival on July 18 financed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has been accused of being antiLGBTQ and anti-women’s rights. New York-based nonprofit Human Rights Foun-dation (HRF), in co-operation with other global activists, warned Minaj not to perform at the event given its support from bin Salman. “If you move forward with this performance for a festival sponsored by the Crown Prince, you will be in league with the people who respond to freedom of expression and thought with murder,” the letter read. Minaj, in a statement, backed away from the scheduled performance.
Minaj “After careful reflection I have decided to no longer move forward with my scheduled concert at Jeddah World Fest,” she noted in a statement. “While I want nothing more than to bring my show to fans in Saudi Arabia, after better educating myself on the issues, I believe it is important for me to make clear my support for the rights of women, the LGBTQ community and freedom of expression.”
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BRIEFS T&T Independence Ball
The 17th annual T&T Independence Ball will be held 6 p.m. Aug. 17 at the Charles F. Dodge City Center, 601 City Center Way, Pembroke Pines, Florida. For more information, call 954-741-4528, 786-251-3813, 954-439-5317, 954-328-0496 or 954-830-4904.
Beres at Broward Center
Beres Hammond, Jamaica’s king of lovers rock, will perform in South Florida this month. Hammond is scheduled to appear on Aug. 25 at the Broward Center. Tickets are available at the Broward Center box office.
Reggae festival
Caribbean talent dominates the line-up for next month’s “Broward Reggae Fest” in South Florida. Dexta Daps, Ding Dong, Richie Spice and Half Pint are among the scheduled performers for the show, to be held Sept. 1 at Miramar Regional Park, 16801 Miramar Pkwy. For more information, call 561289-6367.
‘Miss Lou Full Hundred’
A celebration of the late Jamaican cultural icon Louise “Miss Lou” Bennett will be held over two days next month in Florida. Performances of “Miss Lou Full Hundred” will be staged 7 p.m. Sept. 6 at the Palm Beach Community High School, in Royal Palm Beach, and 7 p.m. Sept. 7 at the Coral Springs Center for the Performing Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs. Scheduled performers include the Jamaican Folk Singers, Andrea Hutchinson, Malachi Smith, Maxine Osbourne and Tallawah Mento Band.
‘Kaiso’ comes to Miramar
Trinidadian trumpet player Etienne Charles and his band Creole Soul will
perform next month South Florida. The show, titled “Kaiso”, will be staged 8 p.m. Sept. 21 at Miramar Cultural Center. Hosted by Miramar Commissioner Maxwell B. Chambers, it’s part of the 35th anniversary celebration of Caribbean Riddims radio show. For tickets, visit the Miramar Cultural Center Box Office, Ticketmaster, MiramarCulturalCenter.org or call 954-602-4500.
Pompano Beach honors T&T artist
Trinidadian artist Sirju Mohan was recently honored by the Pompano Beach Cultural Arts Committee. Mohan, who is from San Fernando and has lived in Pompano Beach, Florida for more than three decades, won an award in the visual arts category. The competition aims to recognize creativity in the city. During the awards ceremony, Mohan completed a painting on canvas.
U.S. college introduces reggae studies
An American college is delving deeper into the study of Jamaica’s reggae music. The University of Minnesota has decided to establish an International Institute for Reggae Studies. The move has received the endorsement of Jamaica’s government, with Culture Minister Olivia Grange welcoming the school’s decision.
Grammy winner for Jamaica gospel show
Grammy-winning American gospel singer Tasha Combs will be among the headliners at the third annual “Unity In The City” concert this month in Jamaica. The event, which will carry the theme “#Isurrender" is scheduled for Aug. 17 at the National Stadium in Kingston. Compiled from various sources.
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Caribbean American in spotlight for HBO documentary film ‘Who Killed Garrett Phillips?’ A Caribbean American man, who was acquitted of killing a 12-year-old boy in the United States, is the main subject of a two-part documentary which premiered on HBO last month. “Who Killed Garrett Phillips?” follows events leading up to the trial and exoneration of Jamaican-born Oral Nick Hillary of a second degree murder charge. Hillary was accused of killing Garrett Phillips in Potsdam, a small town in upstate New York. Phillips was killed in 2011 while at home. The cause of death was strangulation. At the time of his indictment, Hillary was the coach of Clarkson University’s soccer team and father of five children. He had also played soccer for nearby St. Lawrence University and served in the U.S. military. RELATIONSHIPS The story addresses Hillary’s romantic relationship with Tandy Cyrus, Phillips’s mother. At the time of the
boy’s death Hillary and Cyrus were no longer living together. It also focuses on Cyrus’s ex-boyfriend John Jones, a sheriff’s deputy, Garrett’s relatives, and the conduct of several New York law enforcement agents, including police officers and district attorneys. The documentary traces Hillary’s life from his days as a popular championship-winning college player to quickly becoming the only suspect in the case, despite only “circumstantial” evidence available. He was locked up in jail for months and lost his college coaching job. His family life was also disrupted. Meanwhile, the entire town became involved in the case, posting “Justice for Garrett” signs everywhere. Racial tensions rise and some interviewed for the documentary openly accuse Hillary of murder, even after he was cleared. DECISION As a result of the widespread sentiment about the case, Hillary chose to have the
judge decide his fate instead of a jury. In 2016 that judge found him not guilty. Hillary also filed civil lawsuits Hillary against Potsdam, claiming racial discrimination and that his rights were violated. Throughout his ordeal, Hillary firmly maintained his innocence. Since Hillary’s exoneration, according to the documentary, no one else has been arrested in connection with Garrett’s death, although law enforcement claimed they have received leads. The documentary said Hillary eventually moved from Potsdam and resumed coaching, but at club level. Hillary claimed his life is forever changed. “Nobody will ever look at you the same way,” he said in the documentary. “Nobody wants to interact with you the same way.”
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14 • CARIBBEAN TODAY • AUGUST 2019
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TOURISM/TRAVEL
AA orders woman traveling to U.S. from Caribbean to leave plane, citing her dress A woman heading from customers of all the Caribbean to the backgrounds and United States was asked are committed to to leave an American providing a posiAirlines flight before it tive, safe travel departed after she was experience for told her dress was not everyone who flies suitable for travel. with us,” an AA On June 30 Dr. representative said Latisha “Tisha” Rowe in a statement. and her eight-year-old However, she son were boarding a later stated on flight from Kingston to social media that Miami when she was she believed that asked by flight attendants African American on American Airlines to Photographs show outfit Dr. Rowe was wearing when AA refused females are subject to allow her on board. get off the aircraft. to double stanDr. Rowe said she dards. rectly, in front of my son that was asked by flight attendants “We are policed for being … you know, it felt like 'you to cover up as she “was not black,” Dr. Rowe stated on look like a slut, so let’s fix getting on the plane dressed Twitter. “Our bodies are over this’.” like that.” She was wearing a sexualized as women and we strapless romper, an outfit must ADJUST to make APOLOGY which leaves her arms, shoularound us comforteveryone American Airlines has ders and parts of her legs able. I've seen white women since apologized to Dr. Rowe, exposed. with much shorter shorts who is African American. According to Dr. Rowe, board a plane without a blink “We were concerned she was humiliated and evenof an eye …” about Dr. Rowe's comments, tually used a blanket to cover According to American and reached out to her and herself in order to board the Airlines, the flight attendants our team at the Kingston airflight. who spoke to Dr. Rowe are port to gather more informa“To me, that felt like a black. tion about what occurred. We slap in the face, because I felt Dr. Rowe is a family apologize to Dr. Rowe and appropriately dressed,” Rowe physician who lives in her son for their experience, told CNN television network. Houston. and have fully refunded their “But I'm being told inditravel. We are proud to serve
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Caribbean tourism advocate dies in New York NEW YORK – Jamaican-born Marie Walker, who tourism officials said dedicated her life to the betterment of the Caribbean region, died last month. “Marie Walker was a passionate tourism regionalist who never missed an opportunity to serve on a CTO committee …,” said Sylma Brown, director of Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) -USA, Inc. “She shared her expertise freely and supported destination colleagues without hesitation. She exuded with warmth, energy and authenticity … Marie will be missed by all who knew and loved her.” Walker worked in the
Caribbean tourism industry for 40 years, most recently as the principal of Turnstyle Marketing, where she worked with Walker Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda and St. Lucia. She served as a director of the Anguilla Tourist Board and vice president of sales and marketing with Antigua and Barbuda. START Walker began her career with the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and helped grow business
for Jamaica with the award-winning “One Love” advertising campaign. She engaged Jamaicans living abroad before the Caribbean diaspora was established as a viable market. Walker was the founder of the popular “Jerk to Go” restaurants in New York City. She previously sat on the board of the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies and has served on several CTO committees, including the committee for the CTO’s Governments of the Caribbean State Ball. - Edited from CMC.
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U.S. ends cruise travel to Cuba WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States has banned cruise ships and education travel to Cuba. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, in the statement issued in June, said the restrictions are a result of Cuba continuing “to play a destabilizing role in the Western Hemisphere, providing a communist foothold in the region and propping up U.S. adversaries in places like Venezuela and Nicaragua by fomenting instability, undermining the rule of law, and suppressing democratic processes.” The State Department announced that “going forward, the United States will prohibit U.S. travelers from going to Cuba under the previous ‘group people-to-people educational’ travel authorization. In addition, the United States will no longer permit visits to Cuba via passenger and recreational vessels, including cruise ships and yachts, and private and corporate aircraft.” It’s reported that commercial flights from the U.S. will continue to be permitted as
they “broadly support family travel and other lawful forms of travel.” RESTRICTIONS The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to further restrict travel to Cuba in April, when White House National Security Adviser John Bolton said the Treasury Department would “implement further regulatory changes to restrict non-family travel to Cuba.” The new restrictions are part of a broader effort by the U.S. administration to roll back the efforts by former President Barack Obama to restore normal relations between the U.S. and Cuba, which drew sharp criticism from the more hardline elements of the Cuban American community and their allies in the U.S. Congress. Cruise travel from the U.S. to Cuba began in May 2016 and then became the most popular form of U.S. leisure travel to the island. - Edited from CMC.
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AA commits to increasing service between U.S.-USVI starting Dec. 21 American Airlines has announced new service from the United States to the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) beginning later this year. Starting Dec. 21, AA will offer flights to St. Thomas from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas and Chicago, Illinois. According to USVI Commissioner of Tourism nominee Joseph Boschulte, the new Saturday flights will operate year-round between Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and Cyril
E. King Airport on Boeing 757 aircraft with 176 seats. The Saturday service between Chicago O'Hare International Airport and St. Thomas will operate seasonally on Airbus 319 aircraft with a capacity of 128 seats. “We are delighted with the confidence our airline partners have expressed in our destination,” Boschulte explained in a recent press release announcing the new arrangements.
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Grenada spices up summer for visitors Grenada is relaunching a campaign to promote the Caribbean island, including providing visitors with opportunities to explore, relax and unwind this summer. #NextStopGrenada will run through Oct. 31. During that time, travelers can enjoy specials including discounts off hotel rack rates, room upgrades and complimentary massages during Grenada’s extended summer season. Francine Stewart, Grenada Tourism Authority’s (GTA) marketing manager, introduced the new feature of the campaign this year with the launching of the #NextStopGrenada summer savings card, which allows visitors to take advantage of
additional discounts on tours, experiences and restaurants. Travelers can collect the discount card upon arrival at the airport or at participating hotels and present it to participating vendors to enjoy the specials. Grenada is also offering a selection of festivals and cultural events throughout the summer, including the “Carriacou Regatta”, Aug. 2-5; and “Grenada Spicemas Carnival”, Aug. 11-12. As a bonus, JetBlue has announced an increase in airline service throughout the summer from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to Maurice Bishop International Airport.
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16 • CARIBBEAN TODAY • AUGUST 2019
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SPORTS
Williams strikes 100 meters gold at Pan Am U-20 Florida-based Jamaican Briana Williams continued her brilliant run of form on the track by winning the 100 meters last month at the Pan Am Under-20 championships in Costa Rica. Williams fended off challenges by Americans Thelma Davis and Brandy Pressley to win in 11.38 seconds. Davis was second in 11.39 with Pressley third in 11.41. Williams also ran a leg on
Jamaica’s second placed 4x100 meters relay team. The 17year-old later announced she will no longer compete as a junior athlete. Jamaica led Caribbean nations on the medal table, winning nine, including two gold, three silver and four bronze. Cuba was next with two silver, followed by The Bahamas with a bronze.
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Top cricket umpire panel appoints Trinidadian Trinidadian Joel Wilson has been appointed to the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires for the upcoming international cricket season. The 52-year-old was last month named to the panel along with England’s Michael Gough, following the ICC’s annual review and selection process. Both officials previously sat on the International Panel of Umpires, but have been
elevated to replace Ian Gould, who has retired, and Ravi Sundaram, who was removed. Wilson has stood in 13 Tests, 63 one-day internationals and 26 Twenty/20s. Wilson’s debut Test came four years ago in the first Test between Bangladesh and South Africa. He officiated five matches at the recently concluded ICC World Cup in England.
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Wilson
Olympic veteran to be honored at N.Y. Independence gala Former sprinter Byron LaBeach, a member of Jamaica's team to the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki, will be honored with a “Brand Jamaica Living Legend Award” during a Jamaica's 57th Independence gala this month in New York. The event is slated for Aug. 10 at the Hilton Hotel in Rye. Emmy and Golden Globe nominated Jamaican American actress Kerry Washington will also be honored at the event.
LaBeach was an alternate member of the mile relay quartet, that included Arthur Wint, Herb McKenley, LaBeach George Rhoden and Leslie Lanig, that won gold in the men's 4x400 meters in Helsinki, a historic victory for the country. He was also a semi-finalist in the 100 meters
in those Olympic Games and later won gold medals for Jamaica at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Mexico City in 1954 with the 4×100 and 4×400 meters relay teams. LaBeach is a former student of St. Georges College in Kingston. He also attended Morgan State University in Maryland. He currently resides in the New York taistate area.
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Bowler Garfield Sobers hit for six sixes in an over dies LONDON, England – West Indies cricket legend Sir Garfield Sobers has paid tribute to Malcolm Nash, a former Glamorgan bowler he once famously hit for six sixes in an over, saying they remained good friends despite the battering. All-rounder Nash, a leftarm bowler who played for Glamorgan, died on July 31 at age 74. He received the punishment from Sobers, then with Nottinghamshire, in a county match at Swansea in 1968. It was an iconic moment in world sport because it was the first time a bowler had been hit for 36 in an over in firstclass cricket. Paying tribute to Nash, Sobers, 83, said: “He was a good friend of mine and we always kept that friendship. He was a nice man. “We played against each
Sobers other and I was fortunate to hit six sixes against him, but things never changed. As far as we were concerned we were always friends in spite of what happened on the cricket field.” HUMOR Sobers said Nash had kept his sense of humor despite being hit for six sixes. “When we were asked to
go up to be interviewed afterwards I looked back over my shoulder and saw him smiling,” said Sobers. “I said, ‘Mally, what are you smiling at?’ And he said, ‘I want you to know you could not have achieved this without me!’” Sobers said he recalled Nash driving from Wales to London last year when he was there. “He (Nash) was writing his new book and he asked him me to look at his book and sign it,” the Barbadian said. “I am very shocked and it is sad to hear (of his passing).” Nash took 993 first-class wickets between 1966 and 1983 and was Glamorgan’s leading wicket-taker when they won the County Championship in 1969.
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West Indies lose twice to India in T20 cricket in South Florida GORDON WILLIAMS LAUDERHILL, Florida Caribbean cricket ambassadors the West Indies slumped to two Twenty20 defeats in as many days against India earlier this month at the Broward County Stadium here. The losses ensured India won the three match T20 series, with the final game scheduled for the Caribbean. Forecasts of rain threatened to dampen prospects of top level international cricket in South Florida. But the sizable crowds on both days, dominated by supporters of India, were treated to mostly sunshine, heat and attractive cricket. They soaked it up, cheering, waving flags and igniting the occasional Mexican wave. The festive atmosphere inspired India to draw first blood, winning the opening match by four wickets. West Indies was restricted to 95 runs for nine wickets in 20 overs. Only Kieron Powell’s 49, with two fours and four sixes off 49 balls, and Nicholas Pooran 20 off 16 balls offered resistance. India then survived its own hiccups before scrambling to victory, scoring 98 for six off 17.2 overs. Rohit Sharma top scored with 24, while Sheldon Cotterell, Oshane Thomas and Keemo Paul each picked up two wickets for the West Indies. ‘NO EXCUSES’ It was, admittedly, a sub-
standard performance but the West Indies, especially the batsmen. “It was not a true pitch,” captain Carlos Brathwaite said postgame, acknowledging the moist strip West Indies batsmen confronted, but blaming poor shot selection by his team. “… I don’t want to sit here and make excuses. The team knows it was not good enough.” It wasn’t that much better the following day, when the pitch was more generous to the batsmen. India again won the toss, but this time chose to take first strike, piling up 167 for five off 20 overs. Sharma made 67, again his team’s top scorer. Thomas and Cotterell each took two wickets. In reply, West Indies reached 98 for four in 15.3 overs before a lightning warning, and later rain, ended the contest. India was declared winner on a better run scoring rate, its two day victory haul seemingly a fair result for being the better team. “Maybe,” said Rovman Powell, who top scored for the West Indies in game two with 54. “We’re still working on finding the right combinations.” The West Indies will have the rest of India’s tour of the Caribbean, which also includes one day internationals and Test matches, to get it right.
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Jamaica is top Caribbean team in FIFA world soccer ranking A berth in the semi-finals of the recent CONCACAF Gold Cup has pushed Jamaica up soccer’s global ranking and made the Reggae Boyz the top rated Caribbean team. Jamaica eventually lost to the United States, host of the recent Gold Cup which featured the top nations from North America, Central America and the Caribbean. But the Boyz moved to 52nd in
the rankings released late last month by FIFA, soccer’s world governing body. That’s two places better than the previous rankings. The next five best Caribbean teams rated by FIFA were Curacao (79th), Haiti (83rd), Trinidad and Tobago (101st), Antigua and Barbuda (124th) and St. Kitts and Nevis (131st).
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SPORT BRIEFS Jamaicans among MLS all stars
Two Jamaicans, Andre Blake and Kemar Lawrence, were among the starters for the 2019 Major League Soccer (MLS) all star game. The team representing MLS, which involves professional franchises in the United States and Canada, played against Spanish club Athletico Madrid on July 31 in Orlando, Florida. Blake is a goalkeeper with Philadelphia Union. Lawrence is a defender with New York Red Bulls. Athletico Madrid won 3-0.
Caribbean netballers struggle
Jamaica was the best Caribbean finisher at the recently concluded
Netball World Cup in England, as regional nations struggled at the game’s most prestigious tournament. The Sunshine Girls, who entered the tournament ranked second in the world, fell to fifth.
Hero cricket
The Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Twenty/20 cricket competition, which includes several teams based in the region, will run from Sept. 4 to Oct. 12. For more information, visit www.cplt20.com. Compiled from various sources.
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CARIBBEAN TODAY • AUGUST 2019• 17
BACK TO SCHOOL ~ A CARIBBEAN TODAy SpECIAL FEATURE
5 classroom technologies making learning easy, fun, engaging New technologies being introduced into the classroom are making learning easy, fun and engaging. They are also transforming education in the following ways: 1. Virtual reality - More educators are turning to VR to provide immersive experiences for students and bring the curriculum to life. Whether it’s to allow students to learn a subject more deeply or to take them places they have never been before, VR presents an opportunity to engage students in a new way. 2. Next-generation projectors - The latest projectors are providing educational solutions that offer teachers greater flexibility, making it easy for teachers to project data and class work and for students to share presentations and findings. 3. Portable keyboards Learning to play piano just got easier and more versatile in classrooms nationwide, thanks to the latest in portable key-
- Photograph (c) elen31 / stock.Adobe.com
New gadgets are transforming education.
boards. 4. Online engagement Whereas teachers once communicated with parents strictly through notes sent home in a child’s backpack and the annual parent-teacher conference, special custom online platforms now are offering schools and families a faster, more comprehensive way to connect and share such important (Continued on page 18)
Miami offers scholarships to needy MDC students City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and City Manager Dr. Emilio T. Gonzalez have announced a gift of $50,000 to create the Eduardo J. Padrón Completion Scholarship Fund to support Miami Dade College students close to completing their degrees or certificate programs. The fund will be awarded to 50 students this year in time for MDC’s upcoming “I AM MDC Day” on Sept. 6. As part of the City of Miami’s Pathway to Prosperity Initiative, the new scholarship fund will give students the opportunity to more closely focus on their courses and complete their degrees while reducing the financial pressure to work full-time. Each scholarship recipient will receive $1,000 to support tuition and fees. “By accelerating program completion for students in the final year of their degree at MDC, this scholarship enables
Children in South Florida will this month have the opportunity to benefit from free illness prevention services ahead of the new school year. Florida Health Broward County will offer immunization service to children ages four to 18 inside the Lauderhill Mall, according to the following schedule: • 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Aug. 5-9 and Aug. 12-16 • 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. - Aug. 5 and 12, Aug. 8 and Aug. 14. Each child must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Each child
must show his or her immunization record. Organizers recommend children eat a meal or snack before being vaccinated. A resource fair, plus immunizations, will also be offered 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 10 at the same venue. The mall is located at 1267 N.W. 40th Ave., Lauderhill, Florida.
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Children to benefit from screenings.
Boynton Beach Mall offers double treat for students Boynton Beach Mall will help the Florida community kick off the new school year with two events this month: “Backto-School Fest” and “Stuff the Bus”. During Stuff the Bus, Aug. 4-18, guests will have the opportunity to support the Achievement Centers for Children & Families by donating supplies and resources for students in need.
The mall will also host the Back-to-School Fest from in front of JCPenney. This family-friendly event aims to celebrate a new academic year for local students of all grade levels, while also showing support for schools in the community. Back-to-School Fest will feature activities such as a virtual reality station with the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium, a martial arts
demonstration from Joe Keit Martial Arts, free face painting, crafting corner and yard games. For more information on both events, visit www.BoyntonBeachMall.com. The mall s located at 801 N. Congress Ave., Boynton Beach, Florida.
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students to graduate, start their careers, and become active participants in our community’s future,” noted Mayor Francis Suarez in a recent press release announcing the scholarships. HOPE More than 80 percent of students rely on financial assistance to attend MDC. “Our hope is that students who receive this scholarship will benefit from the extra boost to reach the finish line, and we know they will go on to successful careers and be the change makers of tomorrow because of the foundation they received at MDC,” said Dr. Lenore Rodicio, MDC executive vice president and provost. Dr. Padrón will step down in the fall, after nearly 25 years as president and 50 years of service to MDC.
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Miami-Dade to present vision for school year Alberto M. Carvalho, superintendent of Miami-Dade Public Schools, educators and community partners will be among those scheduled to address the county’s 2019-2020 opening of schools address this month. The event will be held at 10 a.m. Aug. 16 at Knight Concert Hall, Adrienne Arsht
Free immunizations for South Florida children ages 4-18
Center for the Performing Arts, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. According to a release from his office, Carvalho will share his vision for the new school year and encourage support of community partners.
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Help Caribbean today to educate our children, and thereby providing a leg up for all. Caribbean Today has established “The Caribbean Today Foundation for Journalistic and Healthcare Excellence” which will provide scholarships to students attending Miami Dade College. Donations can be made in the following way: • Via Check: Make checks payable to “The Miami Foundation” and include the Fund name “The Caribbean Today Foundation for Journalistic and Healthcare Excellence” in the memo line of the check. Mail checks to, The Miami
Foundation, 200 South Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 505, Miami, FL 33131 • Via Credit Card: miamifoundation.org/givenow. Choose the Fund from the dropdown menu and submit payment. Please look for the Fund name Caribbean Today Foundation. • Please contact the Miami Foundation directly for cash wiring or stock transfer instructions if needed.
Remember no monies come to Caribbean today, it all goes to your children's future education. The Miami Foundation allows Caribbean Today to achieve its philanthropic mission and provides strict oversight and accountability of the Fund by the Board of Trustees of the Miami Foundation. For more information on The Miami Foundation, please visit miamifoundation.org.
THE MIAMI FOUNDATION IS REGISTERED WITH THE STATE OF FLORIDA UNDER THE SOLICITATION OF CONTRIBUTIONS ACT, 1991. A COPY OF THE ORIGINAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL?FREE, WITHIN THE STATE: 1?800?435?7352. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2001, THE SOLICITATION OF CONTRIBUTIONS ACT, CHAPTER 496, FLORIDA STATUES, REQUIRES US TO STATE OUR FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES REGISTRATION NUMBER SC?04939, THE PERCENTAGE OF EACH CONTRI ? BUTION RETAINED BY ANY PROFESSIONAL SOLICITOR IS ZERO, AND THE PERCENTAGE OF EACH CONTRIBUTION RECEIVED BY THE MIAMI FOUNDATION IS 100%.
18 • CARIBBEAN TODAY • AUGUST 2019
Over 10,736,000 copies printed and delivered in 30 years
BACK TO SCHOOL ~ A CARIBBEAN TODAy SpECIAL FEATURE
Florida’s tax free holiday Florida back-to-school shoppers will benefit from a tax free holiday this month. This year’s sales tax holiday ends at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6. No Florida sales tax or local option tax will be collected during this time on the following: • Clothing, footwear, and certain accessories selling for $60
or less per item; • Certain school supplies selling for $15 or less per item; and • Certain personal computers or related accessories costing $1,000 or less per item, cell phones excluded. For more information, visit http://floridarevenue.com/back toschool/Pages/default.aspx.
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Miami school supplies giveaway MIAMI, Florida – MiamiDade County Chairwoman Audrey Edmonson will give away book bags and school supplies at her 13th annual District 3 “Back to School Fun Day/Health and Info Fair” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 10 at Olinda Park. School age children will receive a free book bag with school supplies on a first-come, first-served basis. The event
will also feature free food distribution, by Feeding South Florida, and a health fair including free screenings and eye exams for children. There will also be on-site pet adoptions, free haircuts for kids, music and bounce houses. The park is located at 2101 N.W. 51st St. For more information, call 305-636-2331.
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5 classroom technologies making learning easy, fun (Continued from page 17)
information as field trip permission slips, school play details and more. 5. Math software - Free allin-one web-based mathematics software is helping students take a deep dive into mathe-
matics concepts. Equally usable with keyboard, mouse and touch screen-based platforms, this is one educational aid that students can use both in the classroom, and on-the go. - Edited from StatePoint.
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6 ways to set up perfect work station before school opens Before the school year kicks into high gear, it’s important to give yourself the tools needed for academic success and maximum organization. Here are some ideas to set up the perfect work station: 1. Clear up clutter - First, determine how you use items. If paperwork is referenced multiple times a week, store it on your desk in a file tray or upright sorter. If you use these items more rarely, you can store them in a drawer using a hanging filing system. Likewise, keep the tools you use most - pens, pencils, calculator - on your desk. A compartmental caddy is a tidy way to store such items of varying sizes. 2. Give it some life - Plants can help liven up a work atmosphere, bringing vitality to the space. Improving indoor air quality and being associated with mental health benefits, houseplants are more than just beautiful. And introducing them to a workstation may just help boost productivity during long study sessions. 3. Visualize it - Great for prepping school presentations or easily viewing documents, a projector is a great addition to a student’s workstation. 4. Write it down - No work
Arrange your tools in easy-to-find order. station is complete without a handy notebook, kept close by. Whether it’s making to-do lists, jotting down quick thoughts or taking notes, this is a musthave item, even in today’s digital world. 5. Add it up - A basic desktop calculator is essential to any student’s workstation. Those from Casio feature 12 digits and run on both battery and solar power so you can work anywhere, and with independent memory, you can easily take breaks from tasks and return to them later. 6. The right light - If possi-
: - Photograph (c) mdbildes / stock.Adobe.com
ble, set up work stations near sources of natural light for a mood and focus boost. For nighttime study sessions and for those without windows, high-quality task lighting is critical. Versatility is key, so look for a desk lamp with an adjustable neck as well as dimming capabilities. For spacesavers, check out desk lamps pulling double-duty. Many of today’s models feature USB charging ports at their base. - Edited from StatePoint.
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Be Cutting-Edge.
Prepare for a cutting-edge career with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, which includes a capstone internship with a prospective employer to put your skills to the test in the real world.
Classes start Aug. 26. Register today. 305-204-8888 • mdc.edu/bemdc
Over 10,736,000 copies printed and delivered in 30 years
CARIBBEAN TODAY • AUGUST 2019• 19
BACK TO SCHOOL ~ A CARIBBEAN TODAy SpECIAL FEATURE
3 reasons preschoolers should play with building blocks Playtime is important to a child’s development. Offering many social and emotional benefits, it helps lay the foundation for children’s future success and prepares them for school. One classic toy - building blocks - should be incorporated into every child’s playtime. Here are three reasons why: • Building blocks build skills - Playing with building blocks hones hand-eye coordination, while helping to strengthen hands and grip, skills that will be needed in the classroom, when playing sports and beyond. Additionally, building blocks encourage kids to be creative and to learn how to problem solve. When working together with a friend or caregiver, they also offer opportunities for cooperation, which can foster language development and communication skills. Be sure to talk to your kids about what they are building! • Building blocks are getting smarter - Like so many household items, building blocks are getting smarter and more innovative, and this means more opportunities for both fun and learning. LeapFrog’s first-ever line of smart building blocks LeapBuilders - combines technology and interactive, curriculum-based content. These playsets feature an electronic
Building blocks can take learning further. Smart Star cube and doublesided learning blocks that respond with fun sounds and educational songs on topics such as colors, animals, numbers, letters and more. Among those in the new line-up is the ABC Smart House, an interactive 61-piece house-themed block set that enhances building play with learning content for a unique, engaging experience. Kids can also use the learning blocks from other sets in the interactive Smart Star to unlock additional responses. Recommended for ages 2 and up. • Building blocks grow with a child - Unlike many toys that children outgrow, building blocks will grow with your child through various stages of development, and
you will likely notice your children interact with building blocks differently as they acquire new skills and knowledge. For example, at a younger age, kids may use building blocks to test the concept of gravity. Later, they will use building blocks to create larger complicated structures. Preparing a preschooler for school success can be fun, especially when you put an emphasis on playtime. When seeking out toys that help children reach developmental milestones, be sure to include building blocks, especially those that take learning a step further. - Edited from StatePoint.
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Antigua’s education ‘plan of action’ gets OAS support WASHINGTON, D.C. – Education ministers from the Organization of American States (OAS) have approved the “Plan of Action of Antigua and Barbuda 2019”, which seeks to promote the implementation of the InterAmerican Education Agenda (IEA). The OAS said that the
plan reinforces the link of the IEA with the objectives and goals set out in the 2030 Agenda, especially in Sustainable Development Goal 4, which is to “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”. It said the initiative will
focus on specific actions divided into the themes of inclusive and equitable quality education, strengthening the teaching profession, comprehensive early childhood care, international cooperation and partnerships, and strengthening of OAS initiatives and projects.
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Be wise, immunize children The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County’s Immunization Program is urging parents to check their children’s immunization record to see if they are due for a vaccine. Children entering kindergarten and seventh grade are normally due for a vaccine and need to meet the requirements for school entry. If your child is due for a vaccine, visit your child’s healthcare provider or one of the Department of Health’s clinics. The department provides free back-to-school immunizations to children between
ages two months through 18 years. Call 786-845-0550 to schedule an appointment 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for immunization or for more information. Health care centers will be open from. Below are the clinic locations in Miami: • Downtown Clinic 1350 N.W. 14th St. • Little Haiti Health Center 300 N.E. 80th Terr. • West Perrine Center 18255 Homestead Ave.
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Save money on kids’ tech items To make the grade these days, kids will likely need a full suite of mobile devices. There is good news: A large shift in how consumers are buying and selling gear means you can make proper upgrades for students without the sticker shock. “Savvy consumers are catching on to the fact that you can easily find a highquality refurbished device if you look in the right places,” says David Conti, senior director of e-Commerce at MyWiT. A large percentage of refurbished mobile phones, tablets and accessories were perfectly good devices that owners simply traded in for newer models. BEWARE But back-to-school shoppers should beware. Different sellers have their own standards and you’ll want to stick to reputable sources where you can trust the device you purchase will be in fully functional condition and works exactly as expected.
“Technology should be accessible to everyone,” says Conti. “Unfortunately, many families shopping this backto-school season may not be aware of the quality of refurbished options and, as a result, may feel priced out of the latest high-quality technology.” Whether buying a refurbished iPhone, Samsung Galaxy smartphone or iPad, keep in mind that kids can take an active role in extending the life of their devices with proper maintenance. Send kids back to campus with protective gear like cases, screen protectors and waterproof backpacks that come with specialized compartments for all their gear. More information can be found at MyWiT.com. In a world where staying connected is critical to a student’s success, keep in mind that getting reliable technology doesn’t need to break the back-to-school bank. - Edited from StatePoint.
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20 • CARIBBEAN TODAY • AUGUST 2019
Over 10,736,000 copies printed and delivered in 30 years
City of Miramar Announces new
ATTENTION SMALL BUSINESSES! The City of Miramar is pleased to announce our new Business Diversity & Inclusion Program (BID), offering innovative workshops and services to help small businesses grow. The City’s mission is to promote diversity in the procurement process in order to accurately reflect the demographics of its rather diverse business and residential community. “As part of BID’s effort to support diversity and inclusion, training programs and services are offered to pave the way for success to a diverse and talented group of small business owners,” says Dr. Karen Hollis, Business Diversity Officer. “Miramar’s desire to implement measures to ensure more inclusion for ALL businesses; especially the small, minority, and disadvantaged trades, is evidenced by the creation of the BID program.” Creating awareness about diversity and inclusion is just the beginning. The City of Miramar is commi ed to achieving lasting, meaningful changes with the BID program and is dedicated to working with the entire community toward the ongoing accomplishments of the goals and objectives of BID. The City of Miramar wants to ensure that ALL businesses, including minority, women and veteran owned, as well as firms owned and operated by disabled and LGBTIA individuals, have a chance to succeed and that equal access and opportunities are provided.
Fascinating details about BID: The City of Miramar’s new Business Diversity Program seeks to partner with Fortune 500 Firms and Community Stakeholders to expand opportunities to small businesses beyond their City limits. BID hosts monthly training, certification and business development workshops to assist firms with a myriad of initiatives that include, but are not limited to, tools needed to succeed in bidding, gaining access to City resources, FDOT construction certifications, access to capital and expense reduction coaching. BID take a grassroots approach by sending team members out to “pound the pavement” in the East Miramar Community on a weekly basis to advise small business owners of upcoming training and networking opportunities. Last month’s workshop entitled “Access to Capital” featured Broward County & the Alliance Group and notified businesses that their business tax dollars have positioned these agencies to offer programs, services and contracting opportunities to help them grow.
For more information on the BID program and upcoming workshop and training opportunities, please call The City of Miramar’s Business Diversity Office at - or visit the BID’s web page under the City’s website: www.MiramarFL.gov